The Prime Minister Attends the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa and Other Matters

Photograph of the Prime Minister offering flowers at the National Cemetery for the War Dead

Photograph of the Prime Minister offering a silent prayer at the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa

Photograph of the Prime Minister offering a flower at the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa 1

Photograph of the Prime Minister offering a flower at the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa 2

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa 1

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa 2

Photograph of the Prime Minister observing the rescue presentation using the on-board helicopter on the patrol vessel Ryukyu

Photograph of the Prime Minister hearing an explanation on the bridge of the patrol vessel Ryukyu

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address on the patrol vessel Ryukyu 1

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address on the patrol vessel Ryukyu 2

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda visited Okinawa Prefecture to attend the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 67th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa, on the Memorial Day for the War Dead, hosted by Okinawa Prefecture at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City.

The Prime Minister offered a flower at the National Cemetery for the War Dead, and then attended the memorial ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Hirokazu Nakaima, Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, and others representing the prefecture, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the House of Councillors, and relevant Cabinet members, who paid tribute to the people who lost their lives in the battle.

At the ceremony, attendants observed a minute of silence at noon. That was followed by words of mourning by the Okinawa Association of War Bereaved Families, the offering of flowers by representing participants, a peace declaration by Governor Nakaima, and the reciting of a peace poem by Ms. Mina Kinjo, a Shuri High School student.

Later, the Prime Minister said in his address, "The peace and prosperity of present-day Japan has been built upon the noble sacrifices of the war dead. Japan vows to uphold its pledge not to engage in war, as we remember the heartbreak of those who fell in the war, having no opportunity but to entrust the future of our homeland to the next generation. Furthermore, as a member of the international community, Japan will pursue unceasingly the realization of international peace."

After the memorial ceremony, the Prime Minister visited the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters. After observing the patrol vesselRyukyu, the Prime Minister said in his address, "In the midst of the growing expectations of people toward the Japan Coast Guard, I earnestly hope that you will firmly retain your pride and sense of mission regarding your duty, and actively participate as the 'guardian angels' of this Okinawan 'churaumi' (beautiful ocean)."